Towing from Yosemite to Sequoia

[ILroader]

We'll be towing our 32' fifth-wheel from Yosemite to Potwisha campground in Sequoia NP. Google maps gives the option of either CA 140 or CA 41. Does anyone have experience with these roads & can give a recommendation for a preferred route? Thanks.

[profdant139]

Either way out of Yosemite is fine. 41 gets more snow than thru El Portal. And yes, you can take a big rig to Potwisha, no problem. Don't go past there, though.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

My vote is Hwy 41 out of Yosemite. Take it slow around the curves and you'll be fine.

[JAC1982]

ILroader wrote:
I called Sequoia when I read that RVs were not recommended past the entrance station. I asked why there were sites in Potwisha that could accomodate units linger than mine if there was no way to get to them. That's when the ranger informed me that RVs & trailers could indeed go on to Potwisha, but no further.

That's what I was thinking, that was an odd "advisory" for that stretch of road. It's still somewhat curvy but nothing that would be super frightening in a larger 5th wheel.

Enjoy your trip, it'll be a beautiful one 🙂

[ILroader]

I called Sequoia when I read that RVs were not recommended past the entrance station. I asked why there were sites in Potwisha that could accomodate units linger than mine if there was no way to get to them. That's when the ranger informed me that RVs & trailers could indeed go on to Potwisha, but no further.

[JAC1982]

I grew up in Visalia, and we regularly camped up in Mineral King (obviously tent camping). I think OP will be fine going to Potwisha, but no further beyond that with the 5th wheel. It would be different in a big diesel pusher motorhome, which doesn't bend, but a truck and 5th wheel should be alright. It's just after Potwisha that the road gets super curvy/narrow, and I wouldn't attempt it even with a small trailer.

I'm also wondering if people think Potwisha is furthur up than it is? It's only at 2100' elevation so it doesn't get the weather that the higher up campgrounds (like Lodgepole @ 6700') get.

Also, OP, even though it sounds like the decision is made for you, 41 is the easier road. My stepdad is a school bus driver for Fresno Unified, and he takes trips all the time up 41 in his school bus, and as a kid I went to winter camp at Sugar Pine and the charter buses made it there just fine.

If you wanted a more scenic drive instead of hopping on 99 to come down to Visalia, you could cut across Highway 180 and come down to Visalia through Reedley, or go even further east to Highway 63 and work your way to 198 that way. It will probably take a big longer than staying on the freeways, but it's much more picturesque for the most part.

[JT]

"I know I have to take 198 out of Visalia..."
----
198 between the Foothills Visitors Center (up the road from the Ash Mountain entrance) and Potwisha is *not advised* for vehicles over 24'. Yes, it can be done in a large/long vehicle, but the road is narrow and curvy, and meeting another vehicle, coming from the other direction on a curve (where they often take part of your already very skimpy "lane"), particularly if your "mountain driving skills" are limited, can be an adventure. Since you seem determined to take 198, enjoy the trip. :R

[ILroader]

Yes, I know I have to take 198 out of Visalia, not taking 198 off 180 inside the park. The park web site was very clear about this. My question was primarily directed at getting out of Yosemite. I've since learned that, though 140 is flatter, there are 2 washed out areas that are currently serviced by 1-lane temporary bridges that have a maximum length restriction of 45 ft total. As I exceed that limit, it seems my decision to take CA 41 has been made for me.

[bukhrn]

We came Out 198 with the toad, I certainly wouldn't recommend doing it with any RV. Having said that, I'm sure that someone has taken an RV on that road.
We stayed outside the park at Sequoia Resort, because it was the closest CG with hookups, which came in Extremely handy last August, as it was in the mid to upper 90's.

[JT]

"You have to come in from the south on 198."
---
The OP is towing a 32' 5th wheel; coming into Sequoia over 198 is not an option.

[lbrjet]

You have to come in from the south on 198. How you get there is up to you.

[JT]

41 is OK, but your main problem is that Potwisha campground is on 198, and 198 is not a road for large vehicles.

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/vehicle-restrictions.htm

Even if you came into Sequoia NP on 180 (out of Fresno), you'd still have to take 198 between Giant Forest down to Potwisha. Is there a particular reason you need to camp at Potwisha? Are you going to the parks now? If so, check the park website (the best source of information for any national park) for campground status; at that end of the park, Lodgepole is open, but I think that Dorst is closed.